Secondary Handler

Secondary Handlers:

Secondary handlers are puppy sitters! As well as being able to puppy sit, secondaries are able to learn more about service dogs, and come to all of our events.

What Do Sitters Do:

• Secondaries will be able to puppy sit once they are certified by 4 Paws for Ability (certification process described below!).

• When you puppy sit & how often is determined by YOU! Once you have finished the secondary process you will be added to the Sitters GroupMe. There, Primaries will message when they need sitters. If you are available just message them to say you can watch their pup!

• Sitters do not need any supplies, the Primaries will give Sitters all the supplies they need while watching the SDiT.

• Sitters are allowed to bring the SDiT anywhere the public can go! Examples: classes, the Union, stores, restaurants, your dorm/apartment, etc.

Club Events:

General Meetings
Training sessions
Fundraisers

Collaborations
Member Socials
Field Trips

Don’t meet the minimum requirements?

You will not be considered an active member for the following semester
- Removed from GroupMe
- Removed from mailing list
- Excluded from members only events
- No refunded dues!
You may re-gain active member status the semester after being removed

Semester Attendance Requirement (NEW!)

While there are no requirements for how often you puppy sit, we do require secondaries and general members to meet certain requirements to maintain active membership in our organization. All events listed below are offered on a monthly basis, so meeting the minimum requirement should not be difficult!

Must attend:

1 General Meeting
- First Thursday of the month @ 7 PM
2 Training Sessions
- Every other Tuesday @ 7 PM
1 Member Social
- Date/time varies
1 Additional Event of Your Choice
(This can be a duplicate of the above OR participation in a fundraiser!)

Secondary Handler Process:

General members and Secondaries are required to pay dues to be added to our roster. Click on the link below to pay dues!

Pay Dues

Next, we will add you to our weekly email list where you will receive club updates, information on upcoming events, and more!

Added to Email List

Become Certified

Follow the process listed below (Getting Certified to Puppy Sit). In the meantime, feel free to attend all of our events as a general member!

Paying Dues

Let us know!

Once you're certified, send us a screenshot of the email from HQ to verify completion. We'll then add you to our Sitter GroupMe with our primaries so you can begin puppy sitting our SDiTs!

Getting Certified to Puppy Sit:

Apply

Information Session

Canvas Couse

Go through the Canvas Course and complete the quiz. This holds ALL the information & rules about handling and working with 4 Paws' dogs.

Once you complete the application, you can sign up for a virtual or in person Information Session hosted by headquarters to get to know 4 Paws and what they do and how you want to fit in!

Fill out the Volunteer Trainer Application on 4 Paws for Ability's website

Link to Application

In Person Orientation & Classes

Attend an in person orientation at 4 Paws for Ability in Ohio. Then complete the into and dog handling classes.

~4 hours total to complete all

Puppy Sit!

There is no requirement for the amount of times you watch the dogs -- it's entirely up to you! We do recommend attending at least 1 training session so the primaries get to know you and you get to know the pups!